Ice Road past the Office

As you can see, we don't have much snow at all. You can just drive all over the lake, but the portages are brutal. Today it is -23 F' with a bright blue sky.

Arthur's house

The weather held out long enough for Arthur to get his hydro line in and on December 23, the hydro was turned on. Hurray!

Winter in Red Lake, What not to Love?

December 19 and there is 10 inches of ice and 1 inch of snow. Hugh just bought a HUGE sleigh. It will be useful this winter when we get to Viking Island to build the new docks.

From Fall to -40

We still have very little snow but plenty of winter cold, a good test for water lines. The lake will have plenty of ice this year.

Canadian Ice Fishing, Crazy Canucks

I'm not sure where this Video originated but I like it. Looks like people I've met somewhere.

by Len Colon from Sudbury on YouTube

December Freeze-Up

Florence has been keeping a record of freeze-up dates on Howey Bay in Red Lake for many years. She took over the job from Elmer English, the best hardware man ever to live by the shore of Howey Bay. (Well Harley comes close!)

In year 2009, Howey Bay froze over on December 4th, a very late freeze-up.Here is Howey Bay early on December 4 and then the following morning.

Not quite a record.

In 2001, the bay froze over on December 6. In contrast, the bay froze over on November 4, 1991 and on November 10 of that year, skaters and skidoos were safely out on the ice.

Note from the past: One year, Carl Parker drove his car down the bay on November 16 but not with much of a safety margin. Carl was always looking for a little danger. He is a town character and a past neighbour, I remember at this time of year.

A Letter from Bob Zadek

At age 95, Florence believes in writing letters and looks forward to her mail. Yesterday, she got one of those great letters. Bob Zadek, also in his 90's, enclosed the following photo with the caption, "Arriving at Douglas" He writes, "Expect a phone call soon. Those memories of you and Arthur are dear to me! Keeps me young. Love Bob"
The young guy with crossed arms is Craig, Florence is waving and Arthur is in the foreground docking the plane. Note the dock decking is made of cut poles. You can see one of the boats that Arthur used to build during the winter with a sweet 1955 5 1/2 Johnson outboard.

Also the floating dock in front looks like a good idea to me.

Hope to see one again in 2010.